PSG v S Bratislava
Paris Saint-Germain launch UCL defense with 6-goal rout of Slovan
Ferran Torres scored a hat trick as Paris Saint-Germain swept aside Slovan Bratislava to start the defence of their European crown with a 6-1 win.
Ousmane Dembélé spurned an early chance but made up for it as he scored twice in the space of six minutes to give Luis Enrique's side a comfortable advantage midway through the first half.
And Dembélé then turned provider, setting up the first and third of Torres' goals as the Spain international marked his Champions League debut for PSG with his first hat trick in the competition.
It was a bruising night for Yaya Toure as he became the first African to take charge of a side in a Champions League match, but Slovan did get on the scoresheet through a moment of brilliance from Suleiman Camara just before the hour.
However, PSG had the final word when Fabián Ruiz poked home from a corner in the 87th minute.
Tougher tests await against the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona, but this was an impressive night's work from the back-to-back champions.
Luis Enrique did not go easy on the Slovakian champions, with six of PSG's 10 Ballon d'Or nominees named in a strong starting lineup.
Dembélé put the hosts in front after 17 minutes. A fierce strike from Nuno Mendes rattled the post but with a neat touch Dembélé controlled the rebound and lashed home before goalkeeper Dominik Takac could recover.
The France forward wasted another opportunity a moment later, chipping wide of the target after being played in by Torres but made it 2-0 five minutes later.
Moments after losing defender Kenan Bajric to injury, Bratislava were caught trying to play out from the back and when Fernandez's strike was deflected, it sat up for Dembélé to nod in.
The 29-year-old then teed up Torres for the third, sending in a wicked inswinging cross and Torres got his toe to it to poke beyond the goalkeeper.
Takac made a superb save to deny Dembélé a hat trick, keeping out a vicious close-range strike as the ball bounced on to the crossbar and out.
Barely a minute of the second half had passed when Torres curled in his second from the edge of the box.
Nuno Mendes then had one chalked off for offside, but seconds later Torres turned in from Dembélé's corner to complete his hat trick.
Bratislava were suffering but enjoyed an excellent moment just before the hour as Camara darted in from the left wing and rifled a shot into the roof of the net.
But PSG would have one more goal to celebrate and one that would have frustrated Toure as a poor attempted clearance from Sandro Cruz left Ruiz with an easy finish three minutes from time.
